Serum Levels of IL-27 and IL-30 as Predictor of Disease Activity and Treatment Response in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case-Control Study

Background: Most individuals with inflammatory arthritis are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an immunological disorder characterized by autoantibodies, particularly anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACCP), which initiate inflammatory responses. Recent studies have shown that cytokines contribute to the progression and dissemination of RA, with elevated levels of serum IL-27 and IL-30. Objective: To assess the utility of serum IL-27 and IL-30 levels as predictors of disease activity in RA patients and their correlation with response to treatment. Methods: One hundred patients and fifty healthy controls made up the total number of participants in this case-control research. Baghdad Teaching Hospital conducted the study from November 2023 to February 2024. The American College of Rheumatology 2010 criteria were used for patient recruitment. An ELISA technique was used to evaluate the amounts of the biomarkers. Results: The levels of IL-27 and IL-30 are significantly higher in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to healthy controls. The mean serum IL-27 and IL-30 concentrations were highest in the severe, followed by moderate and low disease activity. Patients taking methotrexate had higher serum IL-27 and IL-30 concentrations, which were significantly higher than those on both etanercept and etanercept + methotrexate groups. Conclusions: Elevated serum levels of IL-27 and IL-30 may serve as diagnostic markers for RA and as indicators of disease activity and response to treatment.